Police plan for Maori drivers didn't discriminate

In June 2015, ONE News reported that South Auckland Police officers had been briefed not to ticket unlicensed Maori drivers. Photo / NZME

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that a Counties Manukau CIB Action Plan relating to unlicensed drivers did not intend that Maori drivers be given preferential treatment.

But the watchdog has criticised the plan as hastily drafted and poorly written.

In June 2015, ONE News reported that South Auckland Police officers had been briefed not to ticket unlicensed Maori drivers, and to instead refer them to local Iwi and a community support panel.

After receiving a number of complaints that this Police document was "racist" and "discriminatory", the Authority conducted an independent investigation.

It investigated whether the wording of the action plan was appropriate; and if it was not appropriate, whether that was due to misconduct or neglect of duty by individual officers.

The Authority has found that while the wording of the action plan relating to unlicensed Maori drivers was not appropriate, and that the plan was created in haste and poorly written, this did not reflect the intention or application of the plan.